Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-02-23
q Serial Staty.
SNOW BOUND At EAGLES
By BRET HARTE.
Copyrighted by Houghton, Miffin & Co., and
published by arrangement with them.]
CHAPTER yI-CoNr1NuED.

CHAPTER yI-CoNTINUED.
Rawlins rose to follow him; Hale alone
hesitated The rapid occurrences of the last
half hour gave him no time for reflection.
But he was by no means satisfied OF the le-
gality of the last act he had aided and abetted,
although he admitted its rude justice, and
felt he would have done so again. A fear Of
this, and an instinct that he might be led into
further complications if he continued to iden-
tify himself with Clinch and Rawlins; the fact
that they had profesSedly abandoned their
quest. and that it was really supplanted by
the presence of an authorized party whom
they had already come in conflict with-all
this urged him to remain behind. On the
ether hand, the apparent desertion OF his
comrades at the last moment was opposed
both to his sense of honor and the liking he
had taken to them. But he reflected that he
had already shown his active partisanship,
that he could be Of little service to them at
Wild Cat Station, and would be only increas-
ing the distance from his home; and above
all, an impatient longing for Independent
nctiop finally decided him. II think I will
stay here" he said to Clinch, sunless you
want me-"
Clinch cast swift and meaning glance at
the enemy, but looked approval Keep
your eyes skinned, and you're good for
dozen of 'en," he said, sotto voce, and then
turned to Stanner. ann going to take this
paper to Wild Cat. II you want to commu-
nicate with me hereafter you know where I
am to be found, unless"-be smiled grimly-
you'd like to see me outside for few min
utes before goa"
ut is q matter that concerns the stage
company, not me-" said Stanner, with an at
tempt to appear at his ease.
Hale accompanied Clinch and Rawlins
through the kitchen to the stables. The ost-
Ter, Dick, had already returned to the rescue
Of the snow bound coach.
u shouldn't like to leave many men alone
with that crowd" said Clinch, pressing Hale's
hand; Gand I wouldn't have allowed your
staying behind eff I didn't know could bet
my pile on you. Your offerin' to stay just
puts clean finish on it. Look yer, Hale,
didn't cotton much to you at first; but eff you
ever want friend, call on Ringwood Clinch." !"
1.-THE same here, old man." said Rawlins,
extending his hand as he appeared from
hurried conference with the old woman at
the woodshed, "and trust to Zeenie to give
you hint eff there's anythin' underhanded
goin' on. So long"
Half inclined to resent this implied sugges-
tion Of protection, yet half pleased at the idea
Of confidence with the handsome girl he
had seen, Hale returned to the room. A
whispered discussion among the party ceased
on his entering, and an awkward silence fol-
lowed, which Hale did not attempt to break
as he quietly took his seat again by the fire.
He was presently confronted by Stanner,
who, with an affectation Of easy familiarity,
crossed over to the hearth.
~The old kernels id peppery and high
toned when he's got little more than his
reg1ar three fingers O. corn juice, eh."
II must beg you to understand distinctly,
Mr.. Stanner," said Hale, with a return of
his habitual precision Of statement, "that I
regard any sighting allusion to the gentle
man who has just left not only as in exceed
ingly bad taste coming from you, but very
offensive to myself. II you mean to imply
that he was under the influence Of liquor, it
is my duty to undeceive you; he was so per-
fectly in possession of his faculties as to ex-
press not only his own but my opinion of
your conduct. You must also admit that he
was discriminating enough to show his OBJ
lection to your company by leavingit Ire
gret that circumstances do not make it con-
venient for me to exercise that privilege;
but if am obliged to put up with your
presence in this room, I strongly insist that
it is not made uncomfortable with the addition
Of your conversation"
The effect Of this deliberate and passion
less declaration was more discomposing to
the party than Clinch's fury. Utterly unac-
customed to the ideas and language suddenly
confronting them, they were unable to deter
mine whether it was the real expression of
the speaker, or whether it was a vague badi-
mage .r affectation to which any reply would
involve them in ridicule In n country ter
rorized by practical joking they did not
doubt but tnat this was new form of hoax
ing calculated to provoke some response that
would constitute them as victims. The lm-
mediate effect upon them was that complete
silence in regard to himself that Hale de-
sired. They drew together again and con-
versed in whispers, while Hale, with his eyes
fixed on the fire, gave himself up to some
what late and useless reflection.
He could scarcely realize his position. For
however he might look ut it, within a space
of twelve hours he had not only changed
some Of his most cherished opinions, but no
had acted in accordance with that change in
way that made it seem almost impossible
for him ever to recant In the interests OF
law and order he had engaged in an unlaw-
full and disorderly pursuit Of criminals, and
had actually come in conflict, not with the
criminals, but with the only party appar-
emily authorized to pursue them. More than
that, he was finding himself committed to
CeEIdlu syHpueHJ Will tue SliiiAhe'i''
Twenty-four hours ago, if any one had told
him that he would have condoned all illegal
act for its abstract justice, or assisted to CON-
nit an illegal act for the same purpose, he
would have felt himself insulted. That he
knew he would not now feel it an insult per-
picked him still more. In these circum-
stances the fact that he was separated from
his family, and as it were from all his past
life and traditions by a chance accident, did
not disturb him greatly; indeed, be was for
the first time little doubtful of their prob
able criticism on his inconsistency, and was
by no means in hurry to subject himself
to it.
Lifting his eyes, he was suddenly aware
that the door leading to the kitchen was
slowly opening. He had thought he heard it
creak once or twice during his deliberate re-
ply to Stanner 1t was evidently moving
now so as to attract his attention, without
disturbing the Others. 1t presently opened
sufficiently wide to show the face Of Zecnie,
who, with gesture of caution toward his
companions, beckoned him to join her. He